Saturday testing photo album from Digital Roostertails available HERE
Sunday raceday photo album from Digital Roostertails available HERE
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After over six months since the last roostertail fell in Chelan, the 2025 Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC returned to the waters for the new season. Two Rivers Park in Finley, WA, has been the site of the season opener since 2001, and 50 boats were on hand to kick off the 2025 racing season to battle for the Atomic Cup.
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Firstly, some sad news to report. Following the race on Monday, R/CU learned that member Don Mock had passed away due to a long battle with cancer. Don had an instrumental role in R/C Unlimiteds' success over its history, and helped set the club's standards, marketing, and culture. He also was a champion on the water, collecting dozens of victories, Gold Cups, and championships with his meticulously crafted hulls. We will continue to report on the front page as to celebration of life details and more. Race in peace, Don Mock.
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After testing on a breezy Saturday, R/CU convened for a celebration of the 2024 season with the Banquet. Please see the Banquet page for a list of all of the award winners! Special thanks to Brian Anderson, who played auctioneer to dozens of items graciously donated by Rattlesnake RC, M5 Performance, and Digital Roostertails.
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50 boats competed across 4 classes through the day. Thanks to the help of many racers, we were able to complete the race by late afternoon and send those who had long drives on Sunday night on their way.
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1/10th Scale Electric Final
1st: 2016 PayneWest Insurance, Geoffry Grembowski
2nd: 1955 Hawaii Kai I, Beau Rarig
3rd: 2024 Miss Apollo, Jason Colean
4th: 2016 Miss Homestreet Bank, KC Andres
5th: 1974 Miss U.S., Brooklyn Kinney
6th: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
7th: 2011 Degree Men, David Ramirez
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Geoffry Grembowski debuted his re-painted PayneWest Insurance and it was quick all day, taking the victory in the three lab final. Beau Rarig held off the rest of the pickleforks with Enzo Henriksen's Hawaii Kai to take second, with Jason Colean finishing third in his beautiful Miss Apollo.
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Gas Scale Consolation
1st: 1969 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Ken Olson
2nd: 1984 Risley's Express, Derek Pierce
3rd (DNF): 1977 Atlas Van Lines
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Unfortunately the 2024 champion capped off an unfortunate day with the Atlas failing to finish in the consolation heat. That left two boats, with Ken Olson holding off Derek Pierce to advance to the final with the Pride of Pay'n Pak.
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Gas Scale Final
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Video from Rattlesnake RC Facebook page here!
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1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1977 Charlie's Girl, Mike Henriksen
3rd: 1983 Miss Houston (W/B), Henry Oord
4th: 1983 American Speedy Printing (Blue), Bill Brandt
5th: 1969 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Ken Olson
6th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing (R/W/Y), Mike Malloy
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For the fourth time in five years, Dave Brandt kicked off his gas scale campaign with a victory as he took the early lead and never looked back. He was chased frantically by Mike Henriksen and Henry Oord, who capped strong days with spots on the podium.
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1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Consolation
1st: 1984 Team Velocity, Mike Henriksen
2nd: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
3rd: 1982 GIlmore Special, Josh Culver
4th: 1975 Pay'n Pak, Wayne Beeson
5th: 1989 Winston Eagle, Fred Stock
6th (DNF): 1975 Miss Technicolor, KC Andres
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The race was a bit chaotic, with the Winston Eagle spinning multiple times, the Technicolor coming to a stop, and lots of near crashes. However, up front it was the lightning-quick Team Velocity, with Mike Henriksen keeping the rocket ship on the water to take the heat victory and advance to the final.
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1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Final
 
Video from Rattlesnake RC Facebook page here!
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1st: 1987 Eliminator, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1974 Miss U.S., Jason Walters
3rd: 1983 Miss Houston (R/W/B), Henry Oord
4th: 1984 Team Velocity, Mike Henriksen
5th: 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Steven Kinney
6th: 2011 Red Dot, Jason Colean
7th (DNF): 1972 Notre Dame, Lexy Brandt
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This was a quick, remarkably driven final as six boats finished, with the Notre Dame failing to finish not because of a driver error, but because of technical issues. Up front, it was a barnburner, as Dave Brandt took the early lead with the Eliminator. Right behind him, Jason Walters was charging hard, with the Houston not letting the U.S. go as well! All three boats finished within a roostertail or two of each other after 5 laps, in a well-fought final that ended with Dave Brandt taking the victory.
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1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
1st: 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
2nd: 1983 American Speedy Printing (Blue), Bill Brandt
3rd: 1983 American Speedy Printing (R/W/Y), Mike Malloy
4th (DNS): 1974 Miss U.S., Steven Kinney
5th (DNS): 1976 Olympia Beer, Steve Roman
6th (DNS): 2001 Skyway Park Bowl, Kylle Fisher
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Bill Brandt had the lead over his grandson and looked to be well on his way to a victory in the consolation race before drifting wide in the final turn, allowing Aidyn to dive inside and take the victory, advancing to the final.
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1/8th Scale Nitro Final
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Video from Rattlesnake RC Facebook page here!
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1st: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
2nd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
3rd: 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
4th: 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
5th: 2011 Miss Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
6th (DNF): 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt
7th (DNF): 1988 Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
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In an attempt to get lane one, several boats crept up slowly to the line. Unfortunately for them, they were too early, as the Stroh's and the U-65 Squire Shop died at the start line. All of a sudden, the race was wide open, and Jim Brittain took advantage. For five laps, he held off the charging Circus to defend his 2024 Atomic Cup with the Oberto. Aidyn Brandt came up from the trailer spot to round out the podium.
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